Question 1

I have never refereed before. How do I become a referee?

Accepted Answer

We provide a downloadable PDF with step-by-step instructions on how to certify. Additionally, you can watch this step-by-step YouTube video to be walked through the steps:

Question 2

I am returning as a referee for this year. What steps do I need to complete to re-certify?

Accepted Answer

We provide a downloadable PDF with step-by-step instructions on how to recertify for returning officials. Additionally, you can watch this step-by-step YouTube video to be walked through the steps:

Question 3

I was certifed with US Soccer previously but I did not certify last year. Can I just recertify for this coming season?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can skip one year on your certification and then come back the following year, and you can go through the simpler recertification process.

Question 4

I was certified with US Soccer previously but my certification has been lapsed the last two years or longer. Can I just recertify for the coming season?

Accepted Answer

No, US Soccer requires any lapsed certifications of two years or longer to go through the new referee training process.

Question 5

I am certified with high school (MSHSL, WIAA, other) and/or college as a soccer referee. Is there an abridged process for soccer officials from other certification bodies (such as simply going through recertification) instead of having to go through new referee training?

Accepted Answer

No. US Soccer only accepts US Soccer Referee certification as a qualifier for returning officials being able to use the recertification process, and there are no abridged processes for experienced soccer officials who have used other certifications. You will need to certify as a new referee.

Question 6

I signed up for a class in the US Soccer Learning Center but cannot attend that class any more. How do I switch to a different class?

Accepted Answer

You need to contact the SRA using our Contact Us form and request that you be unregistered from the course you signed up for. The USSLC does not allow users to unregister themselves from courses.

Question 7

Where do I get my referee jersey and/or equipment?

Accepted Answer

In the Twin Cities the best source for referee uniforms and equipment is Planet Soccer. There are four locations: Blaine, Burnsville, Maplewood, and Minneapolis (on Lake Street).  You can also order full referee kits online from various vendors. Official Sports is the official sponsor of US Soccer and takes lead on referee uniform design. They have a large catalog of both uniforms and equipment, also feature kits that include all of the equipment you will need to referee (men, women).

Question 8

What jersey color should I get for my first kit?

Accepted Answer

Yellow is the standard starter color and the most commonly used jersey for officials around the United States. You will probably see the yellow jersey worn over 95% of the time on soccer fields around the state.  MNSRC does not recommend alternate colors over others. Different areas of the state may prefer one color over others as a secondary jersey, so we recommend you ask your assignor or other referees in your area if there is a preferred second color.

Officials who hope to work at higher levels will eventually need all five official colors (yellow, black, red, blue, green) in BOTH short and long sleeve versions. However, this is a BIG investment is absolutely NOT necessary for a first-year official.

Question 9

I have finished my class and have been licensed. When will I receive my badge?

Accepted Answer

Badges are typically mailed out within 2-4 weeks of licensure for new officials.

Question 10

How do I find a referee assignor?

Accepted Answer

We keep an updated list of assignors, the clubs/leagues they assign for, and their contact information here: https://www.minnesotasrc.com/assignors

Question 11

Do I need to complete a background check to get a US Soccer referee license?

Accepted Answer

If you are 18 years old or older, you must have an approved NSIC background check completed on the US Soccer Learning Center. If you completed this check for a US Soccer coaching license, that check should carry over automatically to your referee licensing process.

Question 12

I just turned 18... how soon do I need to submit to a background check?

Accepted Answer

The USSLC gives individuals a two week window once they turn 18 to submit to a background check. After two weeks, if the individual has not completed the check their referee license is suspended until the check is submitted and completed.

Question 13

Can I renew my background check before it expires?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the USSLC allows you to submit a new background check once you are within 6 months of your current check expiring. However, keep in mind the new check will be good for 24 months from date of submission, NOT 24 months from the current check's expiration. If your check expires in November and you submit a new check in August, the new check will expire 24 months from August (meaning you will have "wasted" 3 months of the original check).

MNSRC recommends renewing your background check 3-4 weeks before expiration.

Question 14

How much does a background check cost?

Accepted Answer

The NSIC check on the USSLC is $30 and is good for 24 months (2 years). This is as opposed to the old background check process that was performed through the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association that was $17 and was only good for 12 months. The USSLC also accepts payment for the NSIC check directly by credit card, as compared to the MYSA check that required the user to mail in a check to MYSA.

Question 15

Why do I have to do a background check on the USSLC?

Accepted Answer

US Soccer will not accpt background checks from other agencies for the purpose of obtaining US Soccer licenses (referee or coaching). If you wish to obtain a US Soccer referee license, you must complete the NSIC check on the USSLC. You cannot import a check from another agency into the USSLC.

Question 16

How can I look up my old data from the old MNSRC site?

Accepted Answer

You can access this by logging into our archive site, www.mnsrcarchive.com.  The user name and password on the archive site will be identical to what you used on the old website.

Question 17

What happened to the presentation content on the MNSRC website?

Accepted Answer

Most of the presentations with current information will be provided through the MNSRC Education page on the new website. These are free to access but are no longer tracked for use and credit.

Question 18

What happened to the Tier System on the old MNSRC website?

Accepted Answer

The tier system required referees have accounts on the MNSRC website. As MNRSC no longer requires accounts on our site, we can no longer track use of the Tier system, so it has been depricated.

The Laws quizzes will be maintained on the new site but performance will no longer be tracked.  The Tier Topics will be preserved on the new MNSRC Education page, but no longer will be credited or tracked.  Fitness work will no longer be tracked.  Zoom sessions will still be scheduled in the spring, with the sign-up process to be determined.

Question 19

What happened to the old MNSRC website's Assigning System?

Accepted Answer

This program had to be cancelled due to US Soccer certification records now being stored on the USSLC. MNSRC no longer can keep a separate database on its own website because it would require referees needing to have accounts on both websites. MNSRC has been repeatedly told that requiring registration on multiple sites was over-complicating the certification process, so to align with the requests of leagues and clubs we have halted tracking all Minnesota referees through required accounts on our own website. This makes the old Assigning and certification confirmation system unworkable.

Question 20

As a referee, how can I connect with an assignor?

Accepted Answer

MNSRC will provide a list of assignors and competitions (leagues and clubs) they assign for on their website with contact information. That information is available here: https://www.minnesotasrc.com/assignors

Question 21

As an assignor, how can I confirm a referee is certified?

Accepted Answer

Assignors have to use the USSLC Directory to confirm that referees are eligible to be assigned.

Question 22

The USSLC Directory can only confirm the certification of one referee at a time, and requires they be looked up periodically to make sure they remain certified. This is rather impractical, isn't it?

Accepted Answer

US Soccer establishes the extent of services provided on the Learning Center. If you have ideas for additional services or applications that can or should be developed, please contact US Soccer at referee@ussoccer.org.

Question 23

How do I access the US Soccer Learning Center?

Accepted Answer

The URL for the US Soccer Learning Center is https://learning.ussoccer.com/referee

Question 24

I am locked out of my USSLC account... why?

Accepted Answer

Technical support for the USSLC is provided directly by US Soccer. The Support page URL is:

https://ussoccerfederation.force.com/lcsupport/s/contactsupport   Please be advised that USSLC support communication can be slow.

The most common cause of USSLC lockouts is failure to confirm your email address. If you are under 18 and had to submit a parent's email address, BOTH addresses must be confirmed with 24 hours of account creation or the account will be locked. If your USSLC account has been locked due to failure to verify the primary or both email addresses, you need to use the USSLC Contact Us form to unlock the account.

Full instructions on creating a USSLC account are provided by US Soccer here:  https://ussoccerfederation.force.com/lcsupport/s/article/Sign-Up-for-an-Account

Question 25

I can no longer attend the entry course I signed up for... how do I switch to another class?

Accepted Answer

You need to contact the SRA using our Contact Us form and ask to be removed and/or switched to another class. You cannot unregister yourself from a course in the USSLC.

Question 26

I've done the entire Grassroots Course but it is not giving me credit... why not?

Accepted Answer

The design of the USSLC Grassroots Entry course is such that you have to engage with EVERY interaction within each module to get credit for that module. For some modules there can literally be dozens of interactions that have to be clicked on to complete the module. If you are not getting credit for a module, it's probably because you skipped an interaction.

For example, in Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct) there is a section that shows you two cards, yellow and red, with a checkmark on each:     If you do not click on both checkmarks to read the revealed text, the course will not consider you as having completed this module.  Again, be sure you utilize EVERY interaction throughout the course to ensure you get credit for each section.

Question 27

Do I have to pay before I start?

Accepted Answer

You have the option of trying the US Soccer Grassroots Course before you pay on the Learning Center. You will need to set up an account on the Learning Center if you want credit later. Log into your account, then follow the link below to watch the course and receive credit to your account.  US Soccer Grassroots Online Course  Watching this course is PART OF the requirements to become a referee... it DOES NOT ENCOMPASS ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS. If you wish to referee matches next summer, you will need to complete the full requirements.

Question 28

Where can I view the list of available classes?

Accepted Answer

All available entry classes are posted on the US Soccer Learning Center. Please navigate to https://learning.ussoccer.com/referee to view them. You may need to sign up for a free account to access the list.

Question 29

How do I sign up for a class?

Accepted Answer

When you register on the US Soccer Learning Center for your course, you will select a class when you register. Full class details (date, site, time) are provided when you register for the Grassroots Course.

Question 30

All of the classes on the US Soccer Learning Center are full. Will there be more?

Accepted Answer

MNSRC adds classes regularly to the USSLC. Check the USSLC frequently for new additions.

Question 31

There are no referee classes being held in my immediate area... how can we get more classes so I do not have to travel for a class?

Accepted Answer

MNSRC works with different areas of the state to provide classes based on the needs of those areas. Outstate areas often do not need as many officials, so opportunities in communities outside the Twin Cities may only happen once a year. We recommend you check with your local clubs and leagues to find out when they work with MNSRC to provide referee training and ensure you can get a spot in those classes to reduce your travel.

Question 32

I am a new referee candidate... do I need to do the background check on the Learning Center?

Accepted Answer

The background check is only required for referees and referee candidates who are 18 years old or older. When you turn 18, the USSLC will notify you of your need to complete the check, and if you fail to do so you will have your license suspended.

If you are 18 years old or older, you will need to complete the check as part of the certification process, even as a new referee.

Question 33

Can I attend a Zoom session instead of attending a classroom for new referee training?

Accepted Answer

No. MNSRC does not offer Zoom sessions as a substitute for the classroom session.

Question 34

How come there are not enough seats available in new referee classes?

Accepted Answer

MNSRC has tracked seats, registration, and attendance in new referee classes for the past 12 years. The number of classes and seats offered typically exceed the amount used in a given registration year by about 50%. Regrettably, clubs and leagues often fail to push referee training evenly throughout the year, and this leads to a rush on seats at the end of a clinic season. We cannot recommend strongly enough the need to be flexible and willing to attend a class at any point they are offered throughout the year.

Question 35

Do I need to submit a background check when I recertify, and if so, how often?

Accepted Answer

US Soccer requires its NCIS background check to be performed every two years for any official who is 18 years old or older. The check is run from within the USSLC.

Question 36

Do I need to attend a classroom session to recertify?

Accepted Answer

No. Recertification does not include a required classroom or Zoom session.

Question 37

When will I receive my badge?

Accepted Answer

New certifications are processed weekly on Sundays. While the USSLC issues a license immediately, the state approved list sent to assignor and badge mailing lists are generated each Sunday. Assigonrs can still confirm your eligibility to offociate immediately after being issued your license by the USSLC by using the Directory on the USSLC. You should receive your new badge within 2-4 weeks after issuance of your license.

Frequently Asked Questions